Reversible ported sub assembly

ABSTRACT

A reversible ported sub assembly has an upper connection assembly, a ported lower end assembly and a reversible ported jetting member. The reversible ported jetting member has a central through-bore and jet ports extending laterally from the central through-bore to the outer surface of the ported jetting member at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the central through-bore. The reversible ported jetting member can be flipped or reversed so that the jet ports can be optionally oriented generally upwardly or downwardly within a wellbore, as desired. A removable plug member can be optionally installed to prevent fluid flow through the ported lower end assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No 61/680,831,filed Aug. 8, 2012, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLYSPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a ported sub that can be beneficiallyincluded within a length of drill pipe or other tubular string within awell. In the preferred embodiment, the ported sub of the presentinvention comprises a plurality of ports, and optional nozzles,directionally oriented to beneficially provide optional upward ordownward fluid jetting.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Drilling of an oil or gas well is frequently accomplished using asurface drilling rig and tubular drill pipe and other equipment. Wheninstalling drill pipe (or other tubular goods) into a well, such pipe istypically inserted into a wellbore in a number of sections of roughlyequal length commonly referred to as “joints”. As a well penetratesdeeper into the earth, additional joints of pipe must be added to theever lengthening “drill string” at the drilling rig in order to increasethe overall depth of the well.

During drilling operations, a fluid known as drilling mud or drillingfluid is typically pumped down the longitudinally extending bore of thetubular drill string, and circulated up the annular space which isformed between the external surface of said drill string and theinternal surface of the wellbore. Basic functions of drilling fluid caninclude, without limitation: (1) to cool and lubricate a drill bit anddownhole equipment during drilling operations; (2) to transport piecesof drilled-up rock and other debris from the bottom of the hole to thesurface; (3) to suspend such rock and debris during periods whencirculation is stopped; (4) to provide hydrostatic pressure to controlencountered subsurface pressures; and (5) to seal the porous rock in thewell with an impermeable filter cake.

After a well is drilled to a desired depth, relatively large diameterpipe known as casing is typically installed within a well. After thecasing is installed, such casing is typically secured in place bypumping a predetermined volume of cement slurry into the well, usuallywith high-pressure pumps. The cement slurry is typically pumped down theinner bore of the casing, out the distal end of the casing, and aroundthe outer surface of the casing.

After a predetermined volume of cement has been pumped, a plug or wiperassembly is typically pumped down the inner bore of the casing usingdrilling mud or other fluid in order to fully displace the cement fromthe inner bore of the casing. In this manner, cement slurry leaves theinner bore of the casing and enters the annular space existing betweenthe outer surface of the casing and the inner surface of the wellbore.After such cement hardens, it beneficially secures the casing in placeand forms a fluid seal to prevent fluid flow along the outer surface ofthe casing.

During such drilling and cementing operations, as well as other downholewell operations, it is frequently beneficial to jet fluid within awellbore. Such fluid is typically pumped through the inner bore of drillpipe or other tubular string, and out at least one port or jet nozzleextending from said inner bore, through the body of such drill pipe orother tubular member(s) and into the wellbore. In some instances, saidnozzles are directionally oriented in order to direct such jetted fluidin a particular direction (for example, upward or downward within awellbore).

Currently, when downward jetting is desired, a ported jetting assemblyhaving downwardly oriented jet nozzles is utilized. Conversely, whenupward jetting is desired, a separate ported jetting assembly havingupwardly oriented jet nozzles is utilized. Depending on the application,fluid can also be jetted through the bottom of said ported jettingassembly; when “blanking” (closing) of lower port(s) is required, yetanother assembly must be used. Such multiple different conventionaljetting assemblies must typically all be transported to a rig location.Further, when not in use, such multiple different jetting assembliesmust be stored, taking up valuable space on such rig.

Thus, there is a need for a reversible jetting assembly that permitsoptional directional fluid jetting, while eliminating the need for avariety of separate jetting tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the reversible ported sub assembly of thepresent invention comprises an upper connection assembly, a lower endassembly and a reversible ported jetting member. Said upper connectionassembly comprises an upper threaded section, a lower threaded sectionand a central bore extending there through; said upper threaded sectioncomprises threads adapted to engage with mating threads disposed at thebottom (distal end) of a length of drill pipe or other tubular string.Similarly, said lower threaded section comprises threads adapted toengage with mating threads of ported jetting assembly.

Said reversible ported jetting member has an upper threaded connection,a lower threaded connection, and a central through-bore extending alongthe longitudinal axis of said ported jetting member. Said centralthrough-bore of said reversible ported jetting member is generallyaligned and in fluid communication with central through-bore of saidupper connection assembly, as well as a through bore of a lower endassembly.

Said reversible ported jetting member further comprises a plurality ofjet ports extending from said central through-bore to the outer surfaceof said ported jetting member. In the preferred embodiment, said jetports are oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axisof said central through-bore. When said reversible jetting member isoriented in one direction, said jet ports are oriented generally in thedirection of upper connection assembly; that is, said jet ports aregenerally directed in an “up hole” or substantially upward directionwhen said assembly is deployed in a well. However, when desired, saidreversible ported jetting member can be flipped or reversed so that saidjet ports are oriented generally in the direction of said lowerconnection assembly. When oriented in such a manner, said jet ports aregenerally directed in a “down hole” or substantially downward directionwhen said assembly is deployed in a well.

A removable plug member can be optionally disposed within said centralthrough bore of said lower end assembly. In the preferred embodiment,said removable plug member includes an elastomeric sealing member (suchas an O-ring or the like) that can provide a fluid pressure seal betweensaid plug member and said lower end assembly, thereby preventing or“blanking off” fluid flow through said lower end assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certainpreferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention isnot limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in suchdrawings or figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible ported subassembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports are oriented ina “downward” direction and having a closed bottom port.

FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible ported subassembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports are oriented inan “upward” direction and having a closed bottom port.

FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible ported sub of thepresent invention, wherein jetting ports are oriented in an “upward”direction and having an open bottom port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side sectional view of thereversible ported sub assembly of the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, said reversible ported sub assembly comprisesupper connection assembly 20, bottom end assembly 30 and ported jettingmember 10.

Still referring to FIG. 1, upper connection assembly 20 comprises upperthreaded section 21, lower threaded section 23 and central through-bore22. In the preferred embodiment, upper threaded section 21 comprisesfemale threads adapted to engage with mating male threads disposed atthe bottom (distal end) of a length of drill pipe or other tubularstring, according to industry custom. Similarly, lower threaded section23 comprises female threads adapted to engage with mating threads ofported jetting member 10, as more fully described below. However, it isto be observed that said female threads can be male threads, and viceversa, without detracting from the scope of the present invention.

Reversible ported jetting member 10 has upper threaded connection 12,lower threaded connection 13, and central through-bore 11 extendingalong the longitudinal axis of said ported jetting member 10. In thepreferred embodiment, and in accordance with industry custom, upperthreaded connection 12 and lower threaded connection 13 comprise malethreads; upper threaded connection 12 mates with lower threadedconnection 23 of upper connection assembly 20, while lower threadedconnection 13 mates with female threads 35 of bottom end assembly 30.Again, it is to be observed that said female threads can be malethreads, and vice versa, without detracting from the scope of thepresent invention. Central through-bore 11 of reversible ported jettingmember 10 is generally aligned and in fluid communication with centralthrough-bore 22 of upper connection assembly 20, as well as through bore32 of bottom end assembly 30 (described in detail below).

Reversible ported jetting member 10 further comprises body section 15and a plurality of jet ports 14 extending from central through-bore 11through body section 15 to the outer surface of said ported jettingmember 10. It is to be observed that said jet ports can be orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said centralthrough bore 11, such that jetted fluid is directed radially outward.However, in the preferred embodiment, said jet ports are oriented at anacute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said centralthrough-bore. As depicted in FIG. 1, said jet ports 14 are orientedgenerally in the direction of lower connection assembly 20. Thus, asdepicted in FIG. 1, said jet ports are generally directed in a “downhole” or substantially downward direction when said assembly is deployedin a well.

Bottom end assembly 30 has upper female thread section 35 (for matingwith male threaded section 13 of ported jetting member 10), as well asbull-nose 36 having lower port 31. Bottom end assembly 30 furthercomprises central through bore 32, which is generally aligned and influid communication with central through-bore 11 of ported jettingmember 10. Said central through-bore 32 is also in fluid communicationwith lower port 31 when removable plug member 40 is not received withinsaid central through bore 32.

FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible ported subassembly of the present invention. Jet ports 14 are oriented generallyin the direction of upper connection assembly 20. Thus, as depicted inFIG. 2, said jet ports are generally directed in an “up hole” orsubstantially upward direction when said assembly is deployed within awell.

Still referring to FIG. 2, removable plug member 40 is optionallydisposed within central bore 32 of bottom end assembly 30. Further,extension member 41 extends into lower port 31. In the preferredembodiment, extension member 41 includes elastomeric sealing member 42(such as an O-ring or the like) that can provide a fluid pressure sealbetween extension member 41 of said plug member 40 and bottom endassembly 30. When said removable plug member 40 is installed withincentral bore 32 of bottom end assembly 30, lower port 31 is blocked orsealed, preventing fluid flow through said lower port 31.

As such, FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible portedsub assembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports 14 areoriented in an upward position and having a closed bottom port.Specifically, jet ports 14 are oriented generally in the direction ofupper end assembly 20.

FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible ported subassembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports 14 are orientedin an “upward” direction and having an open bottom port 31. Jet ports 14are oriented generally in the direction of upper connection assembly 20;as depicted in FIG. 3, said jet ports 14 are generally directed in an“up hole” or substantially upward direction when said assembly isdeployed within a well.

Still referring to FIG. 3, removable plug member 40 is not disposedwithin central bore 32 of bottom end assembly 30. In this configuration,lower port 31 is not blocked or sealed by said removable plug member 40,thereby permitting fluid to flow through said lower port 31.

The reversible ported sub assembly of the present invention providesmaximum versatility and functionality. When downward fluid jetting isdesired, ported jetting member 10 is installed so that jet ports 14 areoriented generally in the direction of bottom end assembly 30 (asdepicted in FIG. 1). Conversely, when upward jetting is desired,reversible ported jetting member 10 is “flipped” and installed so thatjet ports 14 are oriented generally in the direction of upper connectionassembly 20 (as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3).

Regardless of the orientation of said jet ports 14, fluid can bepermitted to flow through lower port 31 of bottom end assembly 30. When“blanking” (closing) of lower port 31 is required, removable plug member40 can be installed. Such changes can be made on a rig or other remotelocation, thereby reducing the amount of equipment needed on such alocation. In other words, the reversible ported sub of the presentinvention can take the place of multiple different jetting subs havingup jets, down jets and open/closed bottom ports.

The reversible ported sub of the present invention is highly versatileand can be used with other technology including, without limitation, the“Method and Apparatus for Catching Darts and Other Dropped ObjectsDuring Well Cementing Operations” disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/554,255, filed Nov. 1, 2011. However, it is to beobserved that use of the reversible ported sub assembly of the presentinvention is not limited to use with such technology, and can beemployed in many different applications when downhole fluid jetting isdesired.

The above-described invention has a number of particular features thatshould preferably be employed in combination, although each is usefulseparately without departure from the scope of the invention. While thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and describedherein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and thatcertain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific mannerof practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea orprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A reversible fluid jetting assembly comprising: a) aconnection assembly having a first end, a second end and a central boreextending there between; b) a jetting sub having a first end, a secondend, a central bore extending there between and at least one jet portextending from said central bore to the outer surface of said portedsub, wherein said first end of said ported sub is connected to saidsecond end of said connection assembly; and c) an end sub having a firstend, a second end, a central bore extending there between and at leastone port extending from said central bore through said second end,wherein said first end of said end sub is connected to said second endof said jetting sub.
 2. The reversible fluid jetting assembly ofclaim
 1. wherein said at least one jet port is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said central bore of saidjetting sub.
 3. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 1,wherein said at least one jet port is oriented at an acute anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jettingsub.
 4. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 3, wherein saidat least one jet port is oriented substantially downward within a well.5. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 3, wherein said atleast one jet port is oriented substantially upward within a well. 6.The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 1, further comprising aplug for sealing said at least one port of said end sub.
 7. Thereversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 6, wherein said plug isreceived within said central bore of said end sub.
 8. A reversible fluidjetting assembly comprising: a) a connection assembly comprising: i. afirst end having a first threaded connection; ii. a second end having asecond threaded connection; and iii. a central bore extending from saidfirst end to said second end; b) a jetting sub comprising: i. a firstend having a first threaded connection; ii. a second end having a secondthreaded connection; iii. a central bore extending from said first endto said second end; and iv. at least one jet port extending from saidcentral bore to the outer surface of said ported sub, wherein said firstend of said ported sub is connected to said second end of saidconnection assembly; and c) an end sub comprising: i. a first end havinga threaded connection; ii. a second end; iii. a central bore extendingfrom said first end to said second end; and iv. at least one portextending from said central bore through said second end, wherein saidfirst end of said end sub is connected to said second end of saidjetting sub.
 9. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8,wherein said at least one jet port is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said central bore of saidjetting sub.
 10. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8,wherein said at least one jet port is oriented at an acute anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jettingsub.
 11. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 10, wherein saidat least one jet port is oriented substantially downward within a well.12. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 10, wherein said atleast one jet port is oriented substantially upward within a well. 13.The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8, further comprising aplug for sealing said at least one port of said end sub.
 14. Thereversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 13, wherein said plug isreceived within said central bore of said end sub.
 15. A reversiblefluid jetting assembly comprising: a) a connection assembly comprising:i. a first end having a first female threaded connection; ii. a secondend having a second female threaded connection; and iii. a central boreextending from said first end to said second end; b) a jetting subcomprising: i. a first end having a first male threaded connection; ii.a second end having a second male threaded connection; iii. a centralbore extending from said first end to said second end; and iv. at leastone jet port extending from said central bore to the outer surface ofsaid ported sub, wherein said first end of said ported sub is connectedto said second end of said connection assembly; and c) an end subcomprising: i. a first end having a female threaded connection; ii. asecond end; iii. a central bore extending from said first end to saidsecond end; and iv. at least one port extending from said central borethrough said second end, wherein said first end of said end sub isconnected to said second end of said jetting sub.
 16. The reversiblefluid jetting assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one jet portis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidcentral bore of said jetting sub.
 17. The reversible fluid jettingassembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one jet port is oriented atan acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said central bore ofsaid jetting sub.
 18. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 17,wherein said at least one jet port is oriented substantially downwardwithin a well.
 19. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 17,wherein said at least one jet port is oriented substantially upwardwithin a well.
 20. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 15,further comprising a plug for sealing said at least one port of said endsub.